Movable targets and variable angle projector

ABSTRACT

A game is disclosed which utilizes a projector device, projectiles and a variably configured target area containing a plurality of individual targets. The projector device is capable of enabling the player to control the trajectory of projectiles by controlling their angle of ejection. The targets may be of various sizes and shapes and are individually movable so that the target area may be changed in accordance with a lesson to be learned or as the players advance in skill.

United States Patent 91 Krombein 1 Jan. 9, 1973 [54] MOVABLE TARGETS AND VARIABLE ANGLE PROJECTOR [76] Inventor: Norman A. Krombein, 14618 No.

37th Drive, Phoenix, Ariz. 85023 [22] Filed: June 19, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 47,734

[52] US. Cl. ..273/101, 46/75, 124/26, 124/30 R, 124/37, 273/DIG. 24, 273/102 R, 273/1065 A [51] Int. Cl.....A63b 65/12, F4lb 15/00, A63h 27/12 [58] Field of Search ..46/74, 75, 82, 84; 124/16, 124/26; 273/95 R, 95 13,101,102 R; 42/73 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,187,524 l/1940 Price ..273/95 R 3,166,321 1/1965 Fleishrnan .....273/101 X 1,542,012 6/1925 Spilman ..273/101 2,432,774 12/1947 Lefustec.... ..46/84 1,738,347 12/1929 Bell ..124/26 UX 3,292,302 12/1966 Estes ..46/74 C 2,930,161 3/1960 Hellman ..124/26 2,878,615 3/1959 Burgin ..124/26 2,427,593 9/1947 Etzel .......42/73 1,248,029 11/1917 Snedecoz ..42/73 3,224,141 12/1965 Borak ..124/26 3,464,703 9/1969 Vallas ...273/DIG. 24 3,358,998 12/1967 Goldfarb ..124/26 Primary Examiner--Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney-Herbert E. Haynes, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT A game is disclosed which utilizes a projector device, projectiles and a variably configured target area containing a plurality of individual targets. The projector device is capable of enabling the player to control the trajectory of projectiles by controlling their angle of ejection. The targets may be of various sizes and shapes and are individually movable so that the target area may be changed in accordance with a lesson to be learned or as the players advance in skill.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 9191s 31709 .495

sum 1 or 2 I NVE NTOR.

5M Men/4M 4. A4 M56/A/ A GENT MOVABLE TARGETS AND VARIABLE ANGLE PROJECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to games and more particularly to a game involving both skill and a degree of luck, the game may also incorporate features to facilitate a learning process.

2. Prior Art A number of projector-projectile games have been devised which involve both skill and a degree of luck..

These types of games quickly lose the interest of the players once the basic skills are mastered for they lack the interest generated by an enjoyable learning process. Also these prior art games are confined to a fixed playing area and lack the features of changing the target area as the players skill advances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, a game is disclosed which includes a projector device that a player can aim to control the trajectoryof a projectile toward a target area. The target area contains a plurality of targets which may be positioned in predetermined or random arrays. The targets may be of various sizes and shapes, and may display names or other descriptive terminology thereon in accordance with a lesson to be learned. The targets also contain various numerals for scoring purposes and may be coated with luminous material so that the game can be played at night.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a game which involves the elements of skill, luck and learning.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game having a projector device which a player may aim to control the trajectory of a projectile.

Another object of this invention is to provide a game having a target area the configuration of which may be changed in accordance with a lesson to be learned or as the players skill progresses.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a game having a plurality of individual targets which may be of various sizes and shapes and display various educational material.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a game in which the apparatus for playing the game is provided with luminous material for night playing.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, the various features thereof as well as the invention itself, may be more fully understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a game playing area incorporating the features of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a projector device which is partially broken away to show the various features thereof.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a projectile device which is partially broken away to show the features thereof.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate projectile device.

FIG. 6 is a plain view of the target area illustrating the targets of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1 the playing area 10 is divided into two segments, a target area 12 and a launching or player area 14. It should be noted that there are no delineating boundaries, as the target area configuration and its distance from the player area are variable and are designed to be selected by the players prior to starting the game.

With respect now to the equipment, a projector 16, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a projectile 18, FIGS. 1 and 4, and an alternate projectile 20, FIG. 5, are provided which in the preferred embodiment are designed to simulate space travel equipment. The projector 16 is designed as a player held launching device, but it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to this specific structure as a projector mechanism which simulates a space vehicle launching pad could also be used. The projectile l8 and 20 are designed to represent space vehicles, and like the projector 16, may assume other shapes and appearances. A plurality of targets 22 are provided which, in the preferred embodiment, are circular with the targets having different diameters. Each target is identified with the name of a planet and a score. The targets 22 which are illustrated and will hereinafter be described in detail were selected so that in the process of playing the game, a lesson may be learned which in this instance is the names of the planets and their relative sizes. Other targets may be substituted for targets 22 to teach other lessons such as monetary values, various geometric shapes and the like.

The projector 16 comprises a barrel 24 and a stock 26 formed intermediate the ends of the barrel and substantially perpendicular thereto. The stock 26 is provided with an outer member 28 having a shoulder pad 30 on one end. and a tongue 32 on the other end thereof. The-stock 26 is also provided with an inner member 34, one end of which is attached to the barrel 24, and the other end being provided with a clevis 35 adapted to receive tongue 32 and be pivotably attached thereto by a pivot pin 36. The outer member 28 may be provided with a flexible bellows-shaped sleeve 38 which is adapted to slidably engage the periphery 40 of inner member 34. The barrel 24 has a muzzle 42 and a bore 44 designed to receive the projectiles 18 or 20 as will hereinafter be described in detail. Contained within the bore 44 is an ejector means 46 having a shaft 48 slidably journeled in a suitable bearing 50. The shaft 48 is provided with a stop 52 suitably attached to the lower end thereof which limits upward travel of the ejector means by engaging bearing 50. The shaft 48 is also provided with a platform 54 which is attached to the upper end thereof and is adapted to carry the projectiles l8 and 20. The ejector means 46 is biased to its extended position, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by a spring 56 which extends between the platform 54 and the bearing 50. A pair of diametrically opposed handles 58 are attached to platform 54 and extend laterally therefrom through longitudinal slots 60 provided in opposite sides of barrel 24. The handles are provided so that the ejector 46 may be moved from the extended position to a retracted position where it is retained by a trigger device 62. The trigger device is pivotably mounted within a bore 64 of stock 26 by pivot pin 65, and is positioned therein so that a latch member 66 protrudes into bore 44 of barrel 24. Latch 66 is spring loaded to an extended position by a spring 68 which extends between the latch and a bushing 70 threadably mounted in stock 26. Latch 66 is provided with a pin 72 to which a trigger 74 is attached. The trigger extends from pin 72, through a hole 76 provided in bushing 70, and is formed into a loop 78.

To operate the projector 16 the player pulls handles 58 downwardly which retracts the ejector 46 and causes platform 54 to contact latch 66 and pivot it about pin 65. When platform 54 passes below latch 66, the latch will move back to its extended position and engage a ledge 79 formed in the platform to hold the platform below the latch. To fire the projector 16, the player simply holds the stock 26 to his shoulder (as shown in FIG. 1) and grips the lower end of the barrel 24 by a handle 80 provided for that purpose. By moving the barrel toward or away from the players body, the projector 16 may be aimed by causing the barrel to pivot about pivot pin 36 carried in the stock 26 When the projector 16 is aimed according to the players desire, he then pulls loop 78 of trigger device 62 which pulls the latch 66 out of the engagement with the platform 54 thus allowing the ejector device to move to its extended position.

The projectile 18, as best seen in FIG. 4, comprises a main body 82 having a bore 84 which is terminated at its upper end by a wall 86. The wall is provided with apertures 87 which allow air to flow through the bore 84 during descent of the projectile. Depending downwardly from wall 86 is a loading stem 88 which has an elongated shaft 90 and an enlarged cylindrical member 92 formed on the lower end thereof. The loading stem 88 is designed to be inserted within the bore 44 of projector 16 so that cylindrical member 92 engages the platform 54. Member 92 is enlarged to substantially conform to bore 44 and also provide weight in the lower end of the projectile 18 to control the flight attitude thereof. The member 92 maybe provided with a weight 94 cast, assembled, or otherwise attached thereto. The body 82 is provided with a flared lower end 96 which provides means for carrying outwardly angularly downwardly disposed legs 98 which are provided with suction cups 100 on their lower ends. Formed on the outer'surface 102 of wall 86 is a boss 104 having a concentric shaft 106 of reduced diameter extending therefrom. A propeller wheel 108 is rotatably mounted on shaft 106 and comprises a hub 110 having a bore 112 for receiving shaft 106. The propeller wheel 108 is secured to the main body 82 by a conical nut 114 which is suitably attached to the upper end of shaft 106. The propeller wheel is provided with a plurality of blades 1 16 radially extending from hub 110 and retained on their outer ends by a circular band 1 18 which protects the blades and maintains them in their proper spaced relationship and angular disposition. The blades 116 are angularly disposed so that when the projectile 18 is ejected upwardly from the projector 16, wind resistance will cause the propeller wheel to rotate so that when of its airborn flight path the projectile l8 nears the apex of trajectory of its airborn flight path the rotating propeller wheel will cause the projectile to hoverand descend slowly under the influence of gravity.

An alternate dart-like projectile 20, shown in FIG. 5, may be used which comprises a shaft 120 having a platform 122 affixed to one end thereof and an enlarged body 124 on its other end. The platform 122 is designed to engage platform 54 of projector 16 when this projectile 20 is loaded therein. A, plurality of fins 126 are provided to maintain the projectile in a substantially concentric relationship within the bore 44 and also provide stability during flight. The fins are formed integral with shaft 120 and extend laterally therefrom with the upper ends of the fins 126 connected to the lower surface of platform 122. The enlarged body 124 provides weight to the projectile 20 to control its flight attitude and to insure that the projectile 20 will land on a suction cup 128 provided on the lower end thereof.

As seen in FIG. 6, the targets 22 are of different diameters to simulate the relative sizes of the planets for which they are named. Each target 22 is identified with a number which is in inverse relationship to the diameter of the target. Since this game is designed to simulate space travel, the target identified as the sun is given a negative score as it should be avoided in the game as it would be in space travel. The targets 22 may be provided with locating pins or stakes (not shown) in a well-known manner to fix the targets to the ground when the game is played in a nonpaved area.

The targets, as well as the projector and projectiles may be made of any of the well-known plastic materials and may contain or be coated with a luminous material so that the game may be played at night.

To play the game and keep score such rules may be stipulated as for example when the projectile misses all the targets, a value is subtracted from the players score, or. when a projectile hits a target but does not remain upright a lesser value is subtracted from the score.

While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in a preferred embodiment, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover and embrace any such modifications within the limits only of the true scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A game comprising:

a. a playing area divided into a variably configurable target area and a remotely located launching area,

, the target area being spaced from the launching area at a distance determined by the skill of the players;

. a plurality of individual targets adapted to be positioned in various arrays within the target area;

c. a projectile adapted to be launched in an airborne flight path from the launching-area into the target area;

. a projector into which said projectile is loaded and launched therefrom toward the target area, said projector comprising:

a barrel having a bore formed therein for receiving said projectile;

ejector means within the bore of said barrel for ejecting said projectile therefrom, said ejector means movable between an extended and a retracted position;

a stock formed intermediate the ends of said barrel and perpendicular thereto and having a bore formed therein, said stock having an inner member one end of which is attached to said barrel the other end having a clevis thereon, said stock having an outer member with a shoulder pad on one end and a tongue on the other end for pivotable connection to the clevis of said inner member so that said inner member may be pivotably moved to allow said barrel to be aimed; and

trigger means located within the bore of said stock and positioned therein so as to protrude into the bore of said barrel, said trigger means adapted to releasably retain said ejector means in the retracted position.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projectile comprises:

a. a body having a bore formed therein; b. a stern affixed at its upper end within the bore and adapted for loading into said projector, said stem having a weighted lower end for controlling the flight attitude of said projectile;

c. a plurality of legs extending angularly outwardly downwardly from the lower end of said body to provide landing means for said projectile;

d. a propeller wheel rotatably mounted on top of said body, said propeller wheel having a plurality of angularly disposed blades for retarding the descent of said projectile; and

e. a circular band attached to the outer ends of the blades of said propeller wheel to protect said blades and maintain the spaced relationship and angular disposition thereof.

3. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tile comprises:

a. a shaft;

b. a platform formed on one end of said shaft, said platform adapted to be loaded into said projector;

c. a plurality of fins radially extending from said shaft and connected at their upper ends to said platform;

d. an enlarged body portion formed on the outer end of said shaft to provide weight to said projectile for controlling the flight attitude thereof; and

e. a suction cup affixed to the lower end of said enlarged body to provide landing means for said projectile.

projec- 

1. A game comprising: a. a playing area divided into a variably configurable target area and a remotely located launching area, the target area being spaced from the launching area at a distance determined by the skill of the players; b. a plurality of individual targets adapted to be positioned in various arrays within the target area; c. a projectile adapted to be launched in an airborne flight path from the launching area into the target area; d. a projector into which said projectile is loaded and launched therefrom toward the target area, said projector comprising: a barrel having a bore formed therein for receiving said projectile; ejector means within the bore of said barrel for ejecting said projectile therefrom, said ejector means movable between an extended and a retracted position; a stock formed intermediate the ends of said barrel and perpendicular thereto and having a bore formed therein, said stock having an inner member one end of which is attached to said barrel the other end having a clevis thereon, said stock having an outer member with a shoulder pad on one end and a tongue on the other end for pivotable connection to the clevis of said inner member so that said inner member may be pivotably moved to allow said barrel to be aimed; and trigger means located within the bore of said stock and positioned therein so as to protrude into the bore of said barrel, said trigger means adapted to releasably retain said ejector means in the retracted position.
 2. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projectile comprises: a. a body having a bore formed therein; b. a stem affixed at its upper end within the bore and adapted for loading into said projector, said stem having a weighted lower end for controlling the flight attitude of said projectile; c. a plurality of legs extending angularly outwardly downwardly from the lower end of said body to provide landing means for said projectile; d. a propeller wheel rotatably mounted on top of said body, said propeller wheel having a plurality of angularly disposed blades for retarding the descent of said projectile; and e. a circular band attached to the outer ends of the blades of said propeller wheel to protect said blades and maintain the spaced Relationship and angular disposition thereof.
 3. A game as claimed in claim 1 wherein said projectile comprises: a. a shaft; b. a platform formed on one end of said shaft, said platform adapted to be loaded into said projector; c. a plurality of fins radially extending from said shaft and connected at their upper ends to said platform; d. an enlarged body portion formed on the outer end of said shaft to provide weight to said projectile for controlling the flight attitude thereof; and e. a suction cup affixed to the lower end of said enlarged body to provide landing means for said projectile. 